Tire.



T. W. PEET.

TIRE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 8, 1909.

Patented Feb.'21,1911.

TQ AENA FREDERICK JOHNSON, F NEVI BRITAIN, GDNNECTICUQIL TIRE.

sensei;

peeiication of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb., 2t, 191i.

Application led May e, 1909. Serial No. 494,743.

To all whoa/iii may concern; Be it known that l, THOMAS; lV. Pit-nr, a

' citizen of the United States, residing at New which the following is n specification, ret

erence being ing drawing.

This invent-ion relates to cushioning devices for vehiclewheels, and the principal object of the same is to provide the rim ot the wheel with a plurality ot' cushion cylinders in which plunge-rs are mounted, said plungers being actuated by the contraction and expansion of the tire of the wheel.

ln carrying out the object ot the invention generally stated above it is conteniplated equipping; the Wheels with a plurality of cylinders which are in communication with a source of air supply, the tire for said rim being' preferablya flexible one and having a universal. connection with plungers which operate in the said. cylinders against the air pressure therein, the arrangement behad therein to the accompanying such that when a portion of the tire is with an o for engagement with contracted, the plunger 4or plungers carried thereby will be forced into their cylinders and compress the air therein.

It will be understood, of course, that the essential features necessarily involved in carrying ont the objects of the invention stated above are susceptible of changes in details one preferred Figure l is a fragmentary front. elevation of a vehicle Wheel, parts thereof being shown in section to illustrate the application of present invention thereto. Fig'. 2 is a central vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2, thereof.

Referring to said accompanying drawings 4 b y numerals, l designatesthe heb of a vehic e from which the spokes 2 radiate and *which have the usual tenen and pinconnection 3 with a rim 4, said rim being preferably .of the clencher ty e, for the usual side --ange engagement W1th the base of the 5o t' Between each spoke 2, the riin is provided ning 6 in which is seated a iianged en 7 of a cylinder 8, said cylinder being providedvvith a threaded portion 9 a lock nut l0' which firmly holds the cylinder in the opening of the rim. The free end of the cylinder 8 is threaded for the reception of a nut or collar ll which forms a. seat for the flanges of a cap l2 having a threaded engagement over the free end ofthe cylinder. The central portion of said cap l2 is provided withan outstanding tubular projection or nipple 13 through which communication is had with the interior of the cylinder. Said nipple is threaded for the reception of a cap 14 which has a pipe connection 15 with a connecting pipe 16 extending entirely around the wheel and being provided with a nipple or nipples 17 by means oi' which the same may be connected with a source of compressed air, not

shown, but which may be the usual tire indating pump.

The tire is provided with a plurality of plates i8 which are shaped to conform to the contour of the inner face of its tread portion, the longitudinal edges of the plates being in engagement with ledges 19 oppositely disposed on the inner sides of the tiro and which may be formed integral therewith. Each plate is provided with a centrally located outstanding lug Q0 having; a

spherical head 2l which is seated in a socket 22 formed in the end of a hollow piston or plungeiwtl mounted for reciprocation in each cylinder 8. A' gland 2d is interposed betiveen said plunger and the cylimleigthe lower end ot said gland .bearing upon suitable packing Q5 carried by a ilangcd por- 'tion 26 ot the c vlimler, the upper end of said land being in contact with a strong spiralpring 27 whichv is interposed between said end' and the cap "l2 and which is constantly forcing said gland onto the packing; material.

'.lhe nipples 13 have sniall port communications 13 with the pipes 15. Said nipples form cages for the check valves 2S which are preferably balls, and the inner ends of said nipples are open and provided with central seats or rests 13b for said valves. The valves 28 are freely movable in the nipples and permitthe air to pass from pipes l5, through the nipples, to the cylinders S; but back pressure from said cylinders will obviously cause said valves to seal ports 13 to prevent air returning to pipesl and-16 from said cylinders,

tn using; the improved Wheel, the cylinders tlaireoi are supplied with suilicient compressed air to cause their plungers to hold the tire expanded. As portions of the tires tread is contracted incidental to its use,the plungercarried by such portion will be forced into the cylinder against the air pressure therein, thereby affording the necessary resiliency.

It will be seen from the foregoing thatI the present invention provides all the cushioning function of the ordinary inflated tire, Without the disagreeable features of the latter incident to punctures and the like. Another prominent feature of the invention is the use of the ball and socket. connection between the plungers and the tire. It will be readily understood that by thc use of such connection, a uniform outward pressure is exerted upon the plunger when the tire is compressed, irrespective of the position of the tire when in such compressed condition.

To prevent friction between the plungcrs and the cylinders incidental to the reciprocations of the former, an opening 29 may be formed through the cylinders to -permit lu y bricat-ing material to be used between the plungers and cylindcrs.

As an adjunct to the described cushioning means for the wheel, the tire may be p'rovided with springs-30 preferably located at the meeting edges ofthe plates so as to relieve pressure between said meeting edges and the opposite portion of the tire upon which the strain exerted by the ends ofthe Y.

saidtire, and a plunger mounted in each cylinder and having a universal connection with each plate therein.

2. A vehicle wheel comprising a rim, a"

tire therefor provided With oppostely disposed internal ledges, plates in said tire and having their longitudinal edges incontact with said ledges, a lug projecting from each plate and provided with a spherical head, cylinders carried by said rim, a plunger mounted in` each cylinder and having a socketed end for engagement with the heads of said lugs, and means for maintaining the plunger outwardly extended.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflixmy signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS VILLAM PEET.

Witnesses:

JOHN A. JOHNSON,

HAROLD K. VVATRoUs. 

